ADAPTIVE NETWORKING
This IDC study utilizes the IDC MarketScape methodology to evaluate commercial content delivery network (CDN) providers. IDC identified eight providers by scale and scope that provide CDN services across the globe. The intent of this study is to provide a comparative view of these CDN providers in terms of their capabilities to offer CDN services and strategies to grow and innovate in this evolving marketplace.
The commercial CDN market is a mature market that carries a substantial portion of the world’s internet traffic. According to the 2018 Cisco VNI report, CDNs will carry 72% of internet traffic by 2022, up from 56% in 2017. In Worldwide Content Delivery Network Services Forecast, 2019–2023 (IDC #US44057419, May 2019), IDC projects this market to reach $13 billion by 2023 at a five-year CAGR of 17.3%. CDNs have become an essential tool to handle the demands created by the massive amount of web content, live high-definition (HD) video, and large downloads on the internet today. Enterprises turn to commercial CDNs for handling content delivery pertaining to four broad segments:
- OTT video: This is the largest segment delivering on-demand and live video streams. Web, email, and data: This segment manages the delivery of static and dynamic web pages as well as email and data.Online gaming: The primary focus is on cloud-hosted multiplayer games. File sharing: This includes over-the-air updates and IoT content.